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Odd period cycles
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hillside71291 posted:
Good Afternoon!
My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for 6 months.
I am very regular with my periods, almost like clock work. The last 2 months I have been anywhere between 5-8 days late with a very mild period ( very few cramps, no clots and lighter than usual). This months period came and went. My husband and I had sex the day after my period ended only to find my monthly visitor had came back less than 18 hours later. This "period" is even more strange than usual. There is only blood when I wipe. It began pink then brown now light red with egg white like consistency. In the last 3 days, I have yet to bleed enough to fill up 1 pad. There are strange pressure cramps associated with this "period".
Should I be concerned? Or should I take a preg test?
Thanks!
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Odd period cyclesGood Afternoon! <br />My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for 6 months. <br />I am very regular with my periods, almost like clock work. The last 2 months I have been anywhere between 5-8 days late with a very mild period ( very few cramps, no clots and lighter than usual). This months period came and went. My husband and I had sex the day after my period ended only to find my monthly visitor had came back less than 18 hours later. This "period" is even more strange than usual. There is only blood when I wipe. It began pink then brown now light red with egg white like consistency. In the last 3 days, I have yet to bleed enough to fill up 1 pad. There are strange pressure cramps associated with this "period". <br />Should I be concerned? Or should I take a preg test? <br />Thanks!
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear hillside:The past three months' flows have qualities suggestive of a change in ovulations. From being super regular to now varying by 5-8 days, the absence of the usual cramps, and either a much lighter or erratic flow can be linked to missed ovulations. Of course you should check for pregnancy since you have been trying to conceive. But if a reliable pregnancy test is negative now and also negative after another week, then my best GUESS would be something interfering with regular ovulations.

As you may have read, there can be many causes for missed ovulations: thyroid problems, pituitary problems, ovarian cysts, physical stressors (eg sudden increases in exercise, crash dieting), emotional stressors (problems with family or spouse, finances), increased body weight, anorexia, rotating shifts at work, etc. Surprisingly, for some women, the "happy stress" for trying to conceive (TTC) can be perceived by the body as a stressor.

If your cycles do not reset themselves naturally I would urge you to see your OB/GYN. As a broad generalization we say that TTC for six months in a woman over 30,or TTC for 12 months in a younger woman merits a consult visit with a GYN. Hopefully your formerly regular cycle will return as abruptly as it left. If it does not, or you have pelvic pain (eg ovarian cyst), see your GYN.

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:Odd period cyclesDear hillside:The past three months' flows have qualities suggestive of a change in ovulations. From being super regular to now varying by 5-8 days, the absence of the usual cramps, and either a much lighter or erratic flow can be linked to missed ovulations. Of course you should check for pregnancy since you have been trying to conceive. But if a reliable pregnancy test is negative now and also negative after another week, then my best GUESS would be something interfering with regular ovulations.<br /><br />As you may have read, there can be many causes for missed ovulations: thyroid problems, pituitary problems, ovarian cysts, physical stressors (eg sudden increases in exercise, crash dieting), emotional stressors (problems with family or spouse, finances), increased body weight, anorexia, rotating shifts at work, etc. Surprisingly, for some women, the "happy stress" for trying to conceive (TTC) can be perceived by the body as a stressor. <br /><br />If your cycles do not reset themselves naturally I would urge you to see your OB/GYN. As a broad generalization we say that TTC for six months in a woman over 30,or TTC for 12 months in a younger woman merits a consult visit with a GYN. Hopefully your formerly regular cycle will return as abruptly as it left. If it does not, or you have pelvic pain (eg ovarian cyst), see your GYN.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
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